The state Department of Environmental Protection has fined the Weston Public Schools $5,000 for discharging too much wastewater into the treatment plant that serves the middle school and the high school. Department spokesperson Racheal O'Brien said there were repeated violations in both 2000 and 2006.

The school department is now required to come up with a plan for reducing the amount of water discharged, and to install $20,000 worth of plumbing fixtures that will cut down on water usage. That includes replacing showerheads at the middle school with low-flow plumbing and timers that prevent the showers from running when not in use.

The schools have agreed to make additional improvements, such as installing water-saving toilets, urinals and sinks, if the total cost of the work is less than $20,000.

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